JK Rowling has written extensive new material about the world of Harry Potter for her new venture, Pottermore, she revealed at a press conference launching the collaborative website.

From Professor McGonagall’s love for a Muggle as a young woman, to how the Dursleys met; from new information about Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff houses, to details about wand wood, the fresh Potter background from the author already stretches to 18,000 words, with more to come.

The material will be used on the new, free Pottermore website, a collaborative project for fans set in the Harry Potter universe. “I wanted to give something back to the fans that have followed Harry so devotedly over the years, and to bring the stories to a new generation,” Rowling revealed. “I hope fans and those new to Harry will have as much fun helping to shape Pottermore as I have. Just as I have contributed to the website, everyone else will be able to join in by submitting their own comments, drawings and other content in a safe and friendly environment. Pottermore has been designed as a place to share the stories with your friends as you journey through the site.”

For the moment, Pottermore will be restricted to the world of the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, but all the books will be added in due course. [x]